Food Poisoning Symptoms Too Dangerous to Ignore—and the Home Remedies That Speed Recovery
Spot the signs, recover faster and protect your family from ‘picnic sickness’ this summer
Food poisoning (a.k.a. foodborne illness) is more common than many people realize. In fact, the CDC estimates that it strikes 9.9 million Americans per year, and older adults are more at risk of complications. According to Raj Dasgupta, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Sleepopolis, symptoms can hit hard and fast. Here we reveal the food poisoning symptoms to watch for, home remedies that help you feel better fast and easy tricks to avoid trouble in the future.
What is food poisoning and what causes it?
The term food poisoning is a bit of a misnomer, since most cases are caused by infections. “Food poisoning happens when you eat or drink something that’s been contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites, think Salmonella, E. coli or norovirus,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “This usually comes from undercooked meat, food left out too long or poor hygiene during food prep.”
Common food poisoning symptoms to watch for
If you suspect you might have food poisoning, Dr. Dasgupta advises being on the lookout for these key symptoms:
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- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Fever
These classic early warning signs of food poisoning can start anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days after ingesting contaminated foods or beverages, he notes. “However, additional food poisoning symptoms can develop if a person becomes dehydrated from the loss of fluids,” adds Matthew Heller, DO, associate professor of family and sports medicine at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Symptoms of dehydration may include:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Dark urine
- Feeling faint
Home remedies that help you recover faster
First, the good news: While food poisoning symptoms can linger for up to a week, Dr. Dasgupta says most cases clear up in a day or two. “If you’re generally healthy, your body should bounce back fairly quickly,” he notes. But proper self-care is crucial for soothing symptoms and speeding recovery, so he and Dr. Heller advise the following:
Hydrate with an electrolyte solution
When you’re losing fluids from vomiting and diarrhea, Dr. Dasgupta advises drinking an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. “Pedialyte helps replace not just water, but also key electrolytes like sodium and potassium,” he explains. “These minerals help your body absorb fluids better and keep your system balanced.”
So how much Pedialyte should you drink per day? “Rather than aiming for a number, sip small amounts regularly, especially if your stomach is sensitive,” he advises. “You can tell you’re getting enough when your urine is light yellow.”
Rethink OTC antidiarrheals
Diarrhea actually serves a valuable purpose when fighting food poisoning, since it helps the body flush out foodborne infection. “Antidiarrheal medication may inhibit this natural process and allow the harmful pathogen to remain in the body for longer periods of time,” explains Dr. Heller.
And while he grants that there are certain situations where antidiarrheals can help, they’re usually when diarrhea is mild. The bottom line: When in doubt, talk to your doctor before dosing.
Try a bland BRAT diet
BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. And according to Dr. Dasgupta, “It’s a solid go-to when your stomach is upset. It’s gentle, lower in fiber and helps things settle.” A bonus benefit of bananas, notes Dr. Heller: The potassium they contain helps ward off dehydration. Other easy-to-digest foods that Dr. Dasgupta recommends include saltines, plain potatoes and broth.
Rest and recharge
When it comes to rebounding from food poisoning symptoms, resting is important. “Your body uses a lot of energy to fight off the illness,” Dr. Heller explains. “Resting allows your body to focus on the healing process during the recovery.” He advises limiting physical activity, which can worsen dehydration. Dr. Dasgupta agrees, adding,” Give yourself permission to slow down, nap and take it easy.”
When to seek medical help for food poisoning
As helpful as the strategies above can be, Dr. Heller advises seeing a healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms of severe food poisoning. These include:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Diarrhea that persists for more than three days
- Being unable to keep any food or liquids down
- A fever greater than 102 degrees
“In addition, anyone with signs of dehydration such as lightheadedness, dizziness, excessive thirst or decreased urine output should seek a healthcare professional,” he notes. “If they are unable to hydrate on their own, they may need help through fluids in an IV.”
How to prevent food poisoning in the future
“Food poisoning can be prevented at barbecues and picnics through various measures,” says Dr. Heller. “Everyone needs to do their part in washing their hands before eating. Those preparing the food need to wash their hands before and after preparation. Make sure all meats are cooked appropriately and at a safe temperature. All fruits and vegetables should be washed with running water before cooking or serving. Finally, when the meal is over, avoid letting leftover food sit out, especially in the warm weather.”
And for added protection against future cases of food poisoning, consider these strategies:
Make your own ice
Believe it or not, ice can harbor organisms responsible for food poisoning. In fact, a Brazilian study found offenders such as E. coli and Salmonella in commercial ice samples. Microbiologist Jen Mahony, PhD, makes her own ice cubes prior to picnics. And if you need more to accommodate a crowd, she recommends buying bagged ice that bears the IPIA (International Package Ice Association) logo. The stamp indicates that ice was made using strict sanitation standards.
Break out extra knives
It’s no secret that using the same cutting board for raw meats and produce can cause cross-contamination that spreads germs between foods. That’s why the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline recommends using one cutting board for fruits and vegetables and another for poultry or meat.
But University of Georgia experts found that knives can become infected with norovirus after being used to cut one piece of contaminated produce, and can then cross-contaminate up to seven more pieces. The fix? Wash kitchen tools after prepping each ingredient and use separate knives for cooked and raw foods.
Clean counters with this
Scientists reporting in the Journal of Applied Microbiology used a computer model to track the effects of antiseptic wipes on countertops contaminated with campylobacter, a bacterial strain common in poultry. The result: Using wipes cut food poisoning risk by up to 99.2 percent.
Study author Gerardo Lopez, PhD, advises wiping down countertops and fridge and faucet handles, as well as washing hands frequently when prepping raw meat. Also smart: Wiping down spice jars before and after using. In a Rutgers University study, people who used spices when preparing turkey burgers transferred foodborne germs to spice containers.
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